Sierra snaow pack?

imported
#1

anybody have an idea bout the snowpack in desolation wilderness area ofthe trail?i’m plannin on headin in and i am wondering if my snowshoes are n order…shine on!

Earthbound Child

#2
Sierra Snow Pack Blues

Hey John Muir way up there strumming.
What’s that tune I hear you humming?
“Welcome, my friend. Come sit a spell.
Then a short tale I have to tell.”

Refrain
About this snow, it’s not the worst.
For the record, you’re not the first.
Step lively up and pay your dues.
It’s time to lose those snow pack blues.

They say this walk is no spring dance.
Is now the year to take a chance?
“The sun makes fret an April fool.
Best trust in God and not some tool.”

Refrain
About this snow, it’s not the worst.
For the record, you’re not the first.
Step lively up and pay your dues.
It’s time to lose those snow pack blues.


But the sun makes the rivers wide.
Will I get to the other side?
“The chill of night calms their might.
Best stop for morn and spend the night.”

Refrain
About this snow, it’s not the worst.
For the record, you’re not the first.
Step lively up and pay your dues.
It’s time to lose those snow pack blues.

What say you then on what to take?
For now I fear my life’s at stake.
“Many an ice ax gathers dust
And last years crampons go to rust”

Refrain
About this snow, it’s not the worst.
For the record, you’re not the first.
Step lively up and pay your dues.
It’s time to lose those snow pack blues.

We talked about the heavy snow.
To safely walk, what’s more to know?
“You’re never far from heaven's view;
Where God and I there go with you.”

Refrain
About this snow, it’s not the worst.
For the record, you’re not the first.
Step lively up and pay your dues.
It’s time to lose those snow pack blues.

Don’t Fret…Let the sun do its work…

Regards,

Clark Fork in Western Montana “Where Seldom is Heard a Discouraging Word.”

Clark Fork

#3

Check out this site:

http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/reports/DLYSNOWDP.html

Looks like snow depth varies - soon be gone at Crabtree, more further north. Still 100+ inches at Tioga Pass!

Booger

#4

Hey Ya’ll,

For what it’s worth, it snowed three inches here in South Lake Tahoe last nite. We are @ 6000 ft. This storm is pretty big, it is snowing right now @ 4:20pm Sat. May 26, 06. But prior to this storm the snow was melting pretty fast. There was only about 3 feet up at Echo Lake on last Tuesday. I should get out for a little hike up there Tues. I will update ya’ll then.

Keep Smilin’ & Keep Hikin’

Rocky Top

Rocky Top

#5

Oooops,

Today is Sat. the 27th of May.

Rocky Top

#6

I snowshoed around (all the way) Loon Lake (6700 Ft.) last Monday. The snow was starting to get patchy. Also, I could not drive all the way to Lyons Creek on Wrights Lake Road. Too much snow about a mile out. I bet after this weekend you can get to Lyons Creek but will still need snow shoes if you are hiking east from there.

Mike O

#7

This morning’s local newspaper (Redding, CA) contained an article about the same snowfall that Rocky Top was reporting. The topic included the mention that Mammoth and Squaw Valley were the only Sierra ski resorts still open. While that may be true, the thing that caught my eye was the quote from a Squaw Valley resort official who said that there is still over 50 feet of snow on some of their upper runs, and that overall they received 15 feet more snow this year than last. Here in Old Station, we got between 4 and 6 inches night before last, Manzanita Lake in Lassen National Park received 10. We (my friend who works in the Natl. Forest Information A-Frame and I) guestimate maybe a foot and a half of fresh at the PCT summit through the park.

Georgi Heitman

#8

This morning’s local newspaper (Redding, CA) contained an article about the same snowfall that Rocky Top was reporting. The topic included the mention that Mammoth and Squaw Valley were the only Sierra ski resorts still open. While that may be true, the thing that caught my eye was the quote from a Squaw Valley resort official who said that there is still over 50 feet of snow on some of their upper runs, and that overall they received 15 feet more snow this year than last. Here in Old Station, we got between 4 and 6 inches night before last, Manzanita Lake in Lassen National Park received 10. We (my friend who works in the Natl. Forest Information A-Frame and I) guestimate maybe a foot and a half of fresh at the PCT summit through the park.

Georgi Heitman

#9

A big “Hey Georgi and Dennis!” from me! I can’t thank you enough for the generousity and hospitality you shared with us in Old Town. I’m DJ (hiked last summer), I came in with Jim, Piper and Jewel Thief. Jim was a bit cranky to get out that morning and beat the heat, so please excuse him. Later that day he felt REAL bad (especially when we came across your much needed water cache). Boy, the class of '06 is SURE in for a treat when they wander into Old Station! You and Dennis are a true blessing! Keep it up Girl Scout!!!

DJ

#10

…it’s so good to hear from you. Are you and Jim hiking again this year?
Dennie and I had such fun last year, tho the total numbers were a bit daunting. After less that 40 “vistors” in '04, 160 plus was really hard to believe. But what a blast, everyone was wonderful, so many folks helped out, and we’re so looking forward to this year. Several of last year’s class will be back, either to start out from here or to leave a car, whatever, it’ll be good to see old friends.!! Went to Kick-Off, it was great, hope I can do it again sometime.
We had, would you believe, 4+ feet of snow here Easter morning, and about 6 inches last (Memorial Day) weekend. It’s been sunny most of every day, but with lots of clouds and a cold wind. There’s also been a couple of good rain storms, at least it’s been rain here, at 4400 feet, not so sure up in Lassen Park. All our creeks are running fast and full, but the snow isn’t melting as fast as usual, due to the cooler weather. Park officials are looking at at least mid July before they can get the hiway open through to the South entrance. It hasn’t been that late in several years. I think I read that the PCT summit through Lassen is only about 300 feet lower than the hiway summit. I hope section hikers are careful through here.
Please say to Jim for us…it was so nice to meet you both last summer, don’t forget where Old Station is. Take care…

Georgi Heitman

#11

I believe the last time the road through Lassen opened as late as mid-july was in 1998. There was still 10-15 feet of snow along the road when we drove through around the 17th of that month. Peter Grub Hut was still snowed in on July 6th. On that day, solid snow was encountered about a half mile north of the I-80 rest area. Besides being a high snow year in general, the remarkable lateness of the snowpack was also due to June having fresh snow in each of the first 13 days of that month in the central and northern Sierra, which delayed the melt significantly.

weathercarrot

#12

You’re right…it was '98. That was the year it snowed til the end of June in Old Station and then rained til the end of July. It’s a wonder no one drowned at stream crossings.

Georgi Heitman